Nigeria Partners with Over 100 Countries to Track Remote Workers’ Global Income. Nigeria has officially entered into information-sharing agreements with more than 100 countries to identify and track the global income of remote workers, freelancers, and digital entrepreneurs earning from foreign companies.
This revelation was made by Mr. Taiwo Oyedele, Chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms, during a live webinar hosted by the National Orientation Agency (NOA) on Wednesday. Themed “Simplifying Nigeria’s Tax System,” the session explored how the federal government plans to tax income generated within the growing digital economy.
Oyedele said the move aligns with Nigeria’s goal of building a transparent, data-driven tax system capable of capturing income flows from remote work, freelancing, and online services — sectors that have expanded rapidly but remain largely untaxed.
“Whether you earn from Google, Amazon, or a company in the Bahamas, you are required to declare your income yourself,” Oyedele stated.
“If you fail to do it, the system will automatically gather intelligence once the money hits your bank account.”
Nigeria Taps Global Data Network for Offshore Income Disclosure
According to Oyedele, Nigeria now has direct access to cross-border financial information through international cooperation agreements under the Common Reporting Standard (CRS).
“We have signed agreements with over 100 countries,” he explained. “These nations are already sharing data on Nigerians who own bank accounts, assets, or property abroad — from Dubai to the U.S., Canada, and the U.K.”
The CRS, developed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), facilitates automatic exchange of taxpayer information among signatory nations. This allows tax authorities to detect undeclared foreign income, hidden assets, and cross-border transfers in real time.
Oyedele warned that the system would soon make it difficult for any Nigerian earning abroad to hide income from the tax authorities.
“If it’s about data, the government already has it. The only responsible thing is for taxpayers to do the right thing. If you fail to declare, the system will find you — and the government will issue a presumptive assessment,” he cautioned.
Engagement with Global Tech Companies: Expanding the VAT Net
The tax reform chief also recalled Nigeria’s recent success in bringing global digital platforms into the tax net — a move that now generates billions in revenue annually.
He explained that the reform team began negotiations with major tech companies three to four years ago after identifying inconsistencies in Value Added Tax (VAT) collection between local and online sellers.
“We asked a simple question: if a local store selling phones charges VAT, why shouldn’t the online platform doing the same?” Oyedele said.
Instead of confrontation, the government pursued a collaborative model, leading to voluntary compliance from many digital giants operating remotely.
“We listened to their concerns, worked through the details, and reached an agreement,” he added. “Today, Nigeria is earning billions from these taxes without going to court or starting disputes.”
See Also: Nigeria to Grant 50 Tax Exemptions for Low-Income Earners and SMEs from 2026
Clarifying Errors in the 2025 Tax Reform Laws
Addressing confusion surrounding recent legislation, Oyedele acknowledged discrepancies in Nigeria’s newly gazetted Tax Administration Act and Tax Act, specifically relating to turnover thresholds for small business exemptions.
“Section 147 of the Administration Act states ₦100 million, while Section 202 of the Tax Act says ₦50 million — that was an editing error,” he explained.
He attributed the mix-up to technical mistakes during the gazetting process after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu signed the laws on June 26, 2025.
“The agency responsible for gazetting said they’d never done something of this scale before. In the process of formatting, the ₦50 million figure reappeared in one of the laws,” Oyedele noted.
While efforts to correct the gazette have been ongoing for months, the committee resolved to continue implementation and make the correction in next year’s amendment cycle.
“The actual minimum threshold for tax exemption is ₦100 million,” he affirmed. “Let’s move forward so our good becomes better, rather than waiting for perfection.”
Link to Capital Gains Tax and Broader Fiscal Reforms
The development comes amid broader tax reforms aimed at modernizing Nigeria’s fiscal system and aligning it with international standards.
Recently, Oyedele clarified that the new Capital Gains Tax (CGT) framework — effective January 1, 2026 — will not apply retroactively to gains made before that date.
The reform introduces a cost basis reset and a grandfathering clause, ensuring that old investment gains remain exempt while new profits earned after 2025 will be taxed fairly.
This, according to Oyedele, forms part of the committee’s commitment to fairness, equity, and certainty in Nigeria’s evolving tax system.
Implications for Remote Workers and Digital Professionals
The new data-sharing partnership means Nigerian residents who earn from global remote jobs, freelancing, or digital platforms — such as YouTube, Fiverr, or Upwork — will soon face stricter scrutiny from the tax authorities.
Experts say the development underscores the government’s shift toward taxing income from the digital economy, which has grown exponentially since the pandemic.
Tax professionals are urging freelancers and remote workers to voluntarily register with the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), file accurate annual returns, and take advantage of any reliefs available under the new tax reforms
Towards a Transparent and Fair Tax System
Nigeria’s participation in the global reporting network marks a major milestone in its fiscal reform journey.
By combining international intelligence sharing, digital automation, and local compliance measures, the government aims to broaden the tax base while reducing evasion among high-earning professionals in the informal and digital sectors.
“Our ultimate goal is to make the system fair — where everyone contributes their share, and no one is unfairly overtaxed,” Oyedele emphasized.
